Why OPTIM?
OPTIM’s instructors are passionate clinical educators. We have extensive combined experience in residency and fellowship education, as university adjunct faculty. We have taught at the state and national level, and have been recognized by the APTA for excellence in clinical teaching (Signe Brunnstrom Award). We promote excellence in psychomotor skills, exercise prescription, differential diagnosis, and pain science. Want to learn more information: Meet the OPTIM Instructors.
What credentials do I receive upon completion of the COMT program?
Upon completion of the COMT program, graduates will be awarded their Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to pursue their fellowship.
What credentials do I receive upon completion of the fellowship program?
Upon completion of the fellowship program, graduates will be awarded the title of Fellow, by the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT). More importantly, fellowship education is designed to better serve society and change your career trajectory. We will emphasize this far more than any additional letters or credentials after your name.
Where are classes held?
Class location will vary based on which specific cohort you choose to join.
Houston fellowship: Most classes will be held in Houston, Texas. Mentorship requirements will be completed based on your geographic location, availability of mentors, etc. We are currently developing on-boarding fellowship-trained clinical faculty with excellent skills in clinical teaching, reasoning, and the application of manual therapy.
How much does OPTIM cost?
COMT Program:
Total COMT cost: $3,200
Course work consists of 6 weekend courses at $450 per class = $2,700
Medbridge and Course materials= $300
COMT Final/ Fellowship Entrance Exam= $200
Fellowship Program:
Total OPTIM costs: $11,000
Course work consists of 10 weekend classes at $450 per class = $4,500
Medbridge and Course materials= $300
Fellowship Final Exam (Practical and Didactic)= $200
Total Mentorship: $6,000 (50% due when mentorship commences; 50% when 220 hours have been completed)
What does a typical weekend class look like?
16 hours of course work spread across Saturday & Sunday. Courses consist of a combination of lecture, heavy lab component, research discussion, case presentations, and exercise prescription.
OPTIM’s instructors are passionate clinical educators. We have extensive combined experience in residency and fellowship education, as university adjunct faculty. We have taught at the state and national level, and have been recognized by the APTA for excellence in clinical teaching (Signe Brunnstrom Award). We promote excellence in psychomotor skills, exercise prescription, differential diagnosis, and pain science. Want to learn more information: Meet the OPTIM Instructors.
What credentials do I receive upon completion of the COMT program?
Upon completion of the COMT program, graduates will be awarded their Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to pursue their fellowship.
What credentials do I receive upon completion of the fellowship program?
Upon completion of the fellowship program, graduates will be awarded the title of Fellow, by the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT). More importantly, fellowship education is designed to better serve society and change your career trajectory. We will emphasize this far more than any additional letters or credentials after your name.
Where are classes held?
Class location will vary based on which specific cohort you choose to join.
Houston fellowship: Most classes will be held in Houston, Texas. Mentorship requirements will be completed based on your geographic location, availability of mentors, etc. We are currently developing on-boarding fellowship-trained clinical faculty with excellent skills in clinical teaching, reasoning, and the application of manual therapy.
How much does OPTIM cost?
COMT Program:
Total COMT cost: $3,200
Course work consists of 6 weekend courses at $450 per class = $2,700
Medbridge and Course materials= $300
COMT Final/ Fellowship Entrance Exam= $200
Fellowship Program:
Total OPTIM costs: $11,000
Course work consists of 10 weekend classes at $450 per class = $4,500
Medbridge and Course materials= $300
Fellowship Final Exam (Practical and Didactic)= $200
Total Mentorship: $6,000 (50% due when mentorship commences; 50% when 220 hours have been completed)
What does a typical weekend class look like?
16 hours of course work spread across Saturday & Sunday. Courses consist of a combination of lecture, heavy lab component, research discussion, case presentations, and exercise prescription.
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How often are classes scheduled?
Approximately every 6-8 weeks. Each class has a set schedule for the year so dates are set months in advance.
Can I get reimbursed from my workplace?
While this is between you and your employer, we highly recommend you attempt to obtain organizational support for your endeavor. We expect your practice patterns to change along with your career trajectory. This is beneficial for both you, your practice, and the patients you serve. We will provide any reasonable documentation required for organizational support.
Will I get CCUs?
Yes. We plan to provide 30 CCUs during the program. This means we will pick two courses for which we will apply for CCU hours through your state physical therapy association. Per the Texas Physical Therapy Rules (Section 341.3, 4B), the successful completion of an APTA credentialed residency or fellowship program may be submitted for consideration for the CCU requirement and be worth up to 30 CCUs.
In addition to CCUs, OPTIM also provides each student with a FREE Medbridge account (over $300 value).
How do I apply?
Applications for the COMT program can use the contact form through this website. Applications for the Fellowship program are also done through the OPTIM website as AAOMPT does not require an external process.
Are you a credentialed program?
Yes, we were initially accredited by American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) as the 24th accredited manual therapy fellowship in 2015. In 2020 OPTIM made the decision to forgo ABPTRFE credentialing in lieu of upholding the standards of International Federation of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (IFOMT) and AAOMPT. We are now solely accredited by IFOMT and AAOMPT.
What are the admission requirements?
All licensed and license eligible therapists are welcome to apply for the COMT program. To enter directly into the fellowship program, applicants must have completed the OPTIM COMT program, graduated from a sports or orthopedic residency program, or hold a specialty certification.
For additional questions please contact us at: [email protected]
Approximately every 6-8 weeks. Each class has a set schedule for the year so dates are set months in advance.
Can I get reimbursed from my workplace?
While this is between you and your employer, we highly recommend you attempt to obtain organizational support for your endeavor. We expect your practice patterns to change along with your career trajectory. This is beneficial for both you, your practice, and the patients you serve. We will provide any reasonable documentation required for organizational support.
Will I get CCUs?
Yes. We plan to provide 30 CCUs during the program. This means we will pick two courses for which we will apply for CCU hours through your state physical therapy association. Per the Texas Physical Therapy Rules (Section 341.3, 4B), the successful completion of an APTA credentialed residency or fellowship program may be submitted for consideration for the CCU requirement and be worth up to 30 CCUs.
In addition to CCUs, OPTIM also provides each student with a FREE Medbridge account (over $300 value).
How do I apply?
Applications for the COMT program can use the contact form through this website. Applications for the Fellowship program are also done through the OPTIM website as AAOMPT does not require an external process.
Are you a credentialed program?
Yes, we were initially accredited by American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) as the 24th accredited manual therapy fellowship in 2015. In 2020 OPTIM made the decision to forgo ABPTRFE credentialing in lieu of upholding the standards of International Federation of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (IFOMT) and AAOMPT. We are now solely accredited by IFOMT and AAOMPT.
What are the admission requirements?
All licensed and license eligible therapists are welcome to apply for the COMT program. To enter directly into the fellowship program, applicants must have completed the OPTIM COMT program, graduated from a sports or orthopedic residency program, or hold a specialty certification.
For additional questions please contact us at: [email protected]